2-3 century CE city coin found in Area G. Today we began our tenth season of excavation at Khirbet el A'raj: Roman Period Bethsaida-Julias. For the first time since before the pandemic, we will excavate for four consecutive weeks in the summer months (there will be another two week session in October). We are joined this year by Chis McKinny and students from the Lanier Center for Archaeology at Lipscomb University. During these first two weeks our focus is on three areas. The Lipscomb...

Welcome to the Bethsaida-Julias EAEP 2026 excavations. This summer we begin our tenth season in the search for the last, lost city of the Gospels. The week before an excavation is usually a time for preparing the site, clearing away the growth from the winter, bringing the tools to the site, and getting the volunteers in place. However, this year we had a special occasion. Yesterday we were visited by Ambassador Mike Huckabee, his wife and other dignitaries in a ceremony to mark the US State...

The final day of a dig session is about preparation for the photographs of your squares. So, less digging and more brushing. Although this session was only two weeks, important progress was made on several fronts. The Russian team in Area F penetrated through the Byzantine floors to demonstrate that below them there is a Roman stratum. It was definitively confirmed by an abundance of Roman coins and pottery. More of the Roman layer will be uncovered in the next season. The team also...